Abstract: An loaner inventory management system and method permits the tracking of loaned physical inventory items, such as medical instruments. Each set of items is housed in a container. Each item has its own place in the container and is in place upon delivery to a recipient. The system comprises a database having stored therein, in defined fields, information related to the sets of items. Database management software permits manipulation of the database and permits selection of one or more of the sets of items through accessing the fields of information related to the sets of items, and permits ordering of the selected sets of items for loan to a recipient for a period of time defined by delivery and due dates. The database management software permits printing out on paper hard copies of digital images representing the sets of items loaned out. Tamper evident material on each container indicates whether the container has been opened.

Abstract: Capsule formulations are provided containing at least two different fill compositions which are prevented from mixing either by providing both of the fill compositions as solids or by providing a physical barrier which separates the fill compositions so that they are prevented from mixing. The invention has the advantage that two different formulations can be provided in a single capsule without one of the formulations having an adverse effect on the other.

Abstract: A method of reacting an aromatic compound with an immiscible reacting agent involves the passage of the reactant along a flow path having a width of from 10 to 1000 &mgr;m in such a way that essentially laminar flow of the reactant takes place. Reaction takes place across the interface between the phases and without substantial mixing of the unreacted aromatic compound and the reacting agents. A preferred reaction is the nitration reaction which involves reaction of a first phase comprising an organic aromatic compound on a second phase comprising a nitrating agent to produce two new phases of different chemical composition to the starting phases. The aqueous and organic phases produced are ideally separated such that minimum contamination occurs. Other examples of this type of reaction include the sulphonation of an aromatic compound using sulphuric acid as the sulphonating agent. The aromatic compound is slowly consumed in the reaction yielding a single aqueous phase.

Abstract: Media is transported to an imaging region using a vacuum feeder. A vacuum head is positioned onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the vacuum head to hold the media against the vacuum head. The vacuum head is then relocated to the imaging region carrying with it the media. In one embodiment, the vacuum head holds the media slightly above the surface of the imaging region. After the media is imaged, the vacuum head moves the media to an output region. In the output region the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the output region. In another embodiment, the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the imaging region. A second vacuum head is positioned in the imaging region onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the second vacuum head to hold the media against the second vacuum head. The second vacuum head is then relocated to the output region carrying with it the media.

Abstract: A frame channel is provided for the mounting of an engine of a rear engine riding lawn mower. A platform is secured to the frame channel, the platform includes a portion which overlays the engine and which includes an opening therein. A seat-supporting hood normally overlays the opening. The hood is pivotally mounted to the platform whereby when the hood is pivoted to an open position to expose the platform opening, access to the engine is obtained.

Abstract: A system for coupling optoelectronic devices, associated electrical components, and optical fibers is described. The system includes a substrate to which optoelectronic devices and at least some of the associated electronic components are formed on or formed using the substrate material. The substrate is further configured to receive and attach to one or more optical fibers. The system can be used to form transceivers for multiplexing and/or demultiplexing electronic information.

Abstract: A mounting system for a two-dimensional scanner may comprise a base and a platen mounted to the base. A multi-axis scanner support apparatus mounted to the base is sized to receive the two-dimensional scanner. The multi-axis scanner support apparatus allows the two-dimensional scanner to be moved between a first position wherein the two-dimensional scanner receives image light from an object positioned on the platen and a second position wherein the two-dimensional scanner receives image light from an object not positioned on the platen.

Abstract: Media is transported to an imaging region using a vacuum feeder. A vacuum head is positioned onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the vacuum head to hold the media against the vacuum head. The vacuum head is then relocated to the imaging region carrying with it the media. In one embodiment, the vacuum head holds the media slightly above the surface of the imaging region. After the media is imaged, the vacuum head moves the media to an output region. In the output region the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the output region. In another embodiment, the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the imaging region. A second vacuum head is positioned in the imaging region onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the second vacuum head to hold the media against the second vacuum head. The second vacuum head is then relocated to the output region carrying with it the media.

Abstract: A network management protocol for the efficient retrieval of items of information or objects from managed elements or other network management systems in a digital communications network is described. The new protocol introduces one or more qualifier bits appended to an information retrieval command wherein the qualifier bit specifies the subclasses of the objects requested.

Abstract: A device for forming an optical connection between an optoelectronic device and an optical fiber and for forming an electrical connection between the optoelectronic device and a substrate, a system including the device and materials, and methods of forming the device and system are disclosed. The device for forming an optical connection includes a—light transmission medium and electrical connectors, which are at least partially encapsulated. In addition, the device includes guide grooves configured to receive guide pins from a fiber ribbon connector, such that when the fiber ribbon connector is attached to the device, fibers of the ribbon align with the optoelectronic device via the light transmission medium.

Abstract: A device for forming an optical connection between an optoelectronic device and an optical fiber, forming an electrical connection between the optoelectronic device and an integrated circuit, and a forming an electrical connection between the microelectronic device and a substrate, a system including the device, and a method of forming the device and system are disclosed. The device for forming an optical connection includes a light transmission medium and electrical connectors, which are at least partially encapsulated. In addition, the device includes guide grooves configured to receive guide pins from a fiber ribbon connector portion of a fiber ribbon cable assembly, such that when the fiber ribbon connector is attached to the device, the transmission medium provides an optical path between the optoelectronic device and the fiber.

Abstract: A linker lipid for use in attaching a membrane including a plurality of ionophores to an electrode and providing a space between the membrane and the electrode in which the membrane is either in part or totally made up of the linker lipid. The linker lipid has within the same molecule a hydrophobic region capable of spanning the membrane, an attachment group used to attach the molecule to an electrode surface, a hydrophilic region intermediate the hydrophobic region and the attachment group, and a polar head group region attached to the hydrophobic region at a site remote from the hydrophilic region. The attachment group has a cross sectional area greater than the cross sectional area of the hydrophilic region, and has the structure recited in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention provides intermediates for the preparation of compounds of the formula wherein R, R1, W, X, Y, Ar and ZA are defined herein.

Abstract: A frame channel is provided for the mounting of an engine of a rear engine riding lawn mower. A platform is secured to the frame channel, the platform includes a portion which overlays the engine and which includes an opening therein. A seat-supporting hood normally overlays the opening. The hood is pivotally mounted to the platform whereby when the hood is pivoted to an open position to expose the platform opening, access to the engine is obtained.

Abstract: A network management protocol for the efficient retrieval of items of information or objects from managed elements or other network management systems in a digital communications network is described. The new protocol introduces one or more qualifier bits appended to an information retrieval command wherein the qualifier bit specifies the subclasses of the objects requested.

Abstract: A cockpit system of interchangeable modules for a first vehicle having a left-hand-drive arrangement and for a second vehicle having a right-hand-drive arrangement, including a driver-side module, a passenger-side module, a center module fastenable between the driver-side module and the passenger-side module, a left-hand-drive top module, and right-hand-drive top module. Alternatively, a cockpit system of interchangeable modules for a first vehicle having a narrow cockpit width and for a second vehicle having a wide cockpit width including a driver-side module, a passenger-side module, a narrow center module, a wide center module, a narrow top module, and a wide top module.

Abstract: A cockpit system of interchangeable modules for a first vehicle having a left-hand-drive arrangement and for a second vehicle having a right-hand-drive arrangement, including a driver-side module, a passenger-side module, a center module fastenable between the driver-side module and the passenger-side module, a left-hand-drive top module, and right-hand-drive top module. Alternatively, a cockpit system of interchangeable modules for a first vehicle having a narrow cockpit width and for a second vehicle having a wide cockpit width including a driver-side module, a passenger-side module, a narrow center module, a wide center module, a narrow top module, and a wide top module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) wherein R is phenyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl or heteroaryl, each of which being optionally benzo- or C3-C7 cycloalkyl-fused and optionally substituted, including in the benzo- or C3-C7 cycloalkyl-fused portion, by from 1 to 3 substituents each independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, fluoro(C1-C4)alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluoro(C1-C4)alkoxy, phenoxy, C2-C4 alkanoyl, halo, C1-C4 alkoxycarbonyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, —S(O)m(C1-C4 alkyl), cyano, —NR2R3, —S(O)mNR2R3, —NR4(C1-C4 alkanoyl) and —CONR2R3, or R is 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furanyl or chromanyl; R1 is H or C1-C6 alkyl; W is a direct link, methylene or ethylene; X is unbranched C2-C4 alkylene; Y is phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, pyridyl, thienyl or C3-C7 cycloalkyl, each of which being optionally substituted by from 1 to 3 substituents each independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, fluoro(C1-C4)alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluoro(C1-C4)alkoxy, halo and cyano; Ar is phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, th

Abstract: The filter cartridge assembly has a valve body having an interior flow passage, a filter across the interior flow passage, and a check valve assembly in the valve body. The filter removes particulates as small as 0.003 microns. A check valve element adjacent to a valve seat in the interior flow passage has a check valve poppet and a stem. The check valve poppet has a relatively narrow neck, and the check valve poppet is tapered inwardly from the outlet end toward the neck at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the valve body that is substantially equal to the oblique angle of the annular valve seat.

Abstract: Capsule formulations are provided containing at least two different fill compositions which are prevented from mixing either by providing both of the fill compositions as solids or by providing a physical barrier which separates the fill compositions so that they are prevented from mixing. The invention has the advantage that two different formulations can be provided in a single capsule without one of the formulations having an adverse effect on the other.